Cute June 5, 2017

Hopped the nest too soon

Quiet as a mouse until

My mom comes with worm.

Art Prescription:  We found a wee robin in our yard, not ready to fly. The nest was too high to return him, so we placed him in a basket and tied it in the tree. The parents found him quickly and resumed feeding. Yay. Then when I returned home later the basket was empty. Dang, I thought, hawk.

Heading out for my evening walk I saw the parents across the street in my neighbor’s yard. And guess what? There was the baby.

My friend who is a bird expert, said fledging does not necessarily mean they are ready to fly, but just ready to leave the vulnerable nest. The parents continue to feed and soon the baby will be hopping onto branches.

Index card with colored pencil:

Index card 2017 5 cute .jpeg

Young Birds September 16, 2014

Young fledge, cardinal

Peep, peep, peep, peep, persistent

Momma demonstrates.

Art Prescription:  Adults are still bringing their off-spring to eat on my deck. The fledglings do their best to continue the easy route. Momma feed me. The parents show them how to peck, scratch, and eat.

juvi cardinal 3 x 5

Haiku June 2, 2013 Fledglings

Momma Mockingbird

Hunts, swoops, digs, catches fresh chow

Fledglings shrill in bush!

Art Prescription:  The amount of fledgling raucous going on right now points to the constant job of parenting. I recognize the shrill cries of different species waiting in hiding for their next treat. Until they know how to forage on their own, baby birds are nurtured along by both parents.

M Mockingbird